MORE THAN THAT

Chapter 3

Even though I was physically present my mind was wandering of what the hell is up with Henry. I know him. He isn't like this.

Me and Henry met when we were six years old. We became strangers , not complete strangers , when we were fifteen. Its been only two years that we are not in speaking terms but those two years felt like two decades.
Those nine years were honestly the best days of my life. Even though I saw my parents life breaking into two I had a hope aside that was Henry.

I walk to the cafeteria to grab some lunch. I am starving. I had just a glass of milk in the morning as I am broke, which by the way I hate to have. Mostly I don't take anything for breakfast as Iam lazy to prepare anything.

I live in a small rented apartment. I manage to pay my rent by working part times. My dad and mom are sweet enough to send some money each month even when they are apart. I spend most of it for my personal use. I really need to start saving some money for any emergency. Iam a kinda girl who likes to live in the moment and not save it for future. Childish. I know.

I hang my bag on the edge of the table and place some of my books on the chair as a symbol saying ' this place is reserved ' and move to the counter to get some sandwiches. As school is the only place I can get some cheap food all over the city I try my maximum to eat well.

" You could come home anytime, you know " says a voice behind me and I know who that it. The same dumb voice every day in this same counter.

" You know I can't " I reply as I turn back for a moment and meeting Nick's eyes for a moment.

Nick is a sweet guy. After my mom and dad parted ways , my mom could not raise Jefry alone. So she started a new life. Marian came into her life as an angel ( to be honest ) and is now forcing himself in mine. Nick is the product of Marian. My dad is still single and looking for the future to fall in his hands. Which is kinda dumb.

" She is your mum afterall " he convinces and follows me back grabbing the plate.

" I want to be independent Nick. It's not about mum. Everything is not about her " I say and wait for my sandwich. Iam fed up of Nick always calling me back to home. Sometimes people have a life no matter how young they are.

" Not again Stac ! Common " he says and follows me as I grab my sandwich and sit on my chair. I look at him with my jaws clenched and roll my eyes indicating my irritation.

" Okay fine " he says and starts to take a bite.

I dart my eyes from Nick to my sandwich. It is a good one for people like me who starve most of the time. I start to have small talk with Nick as time passes by.

I dispose my tray in the trash and unhook my bag from the corner of the table as it was late for my math class. The class where I can see Ken. After the incident that happened at the science class I am quite sure he will be ready to ignore me as much as he can.

The turmoil between me and Henry also bursts atleast once a day. I will accept that iam jealous of Terasa when he accepts what he said about me was wrong. Iam stubborn and I don't care.

I give a ' see you ' look to Nick and start walking. My eyes roam all around searching for Henry. The fact iam searching is because only God knows fr which corner he reappears to irritate the shit out of me.

I walk inside the class and the first figure I spot is Ken Pouler. I can see his eyes on me as I walk inside the class to take a seat. I search for the farthest seat available planning to never meet his eyes until the class ends. It is so much easy to stay away.
Ken in the corner and me in another corner is enough for me to be away from him for the rest of the period.

The whole class was honestly awkward. I struggled a lot to not look at his direction because the only reason that I attend the math class is for Ken. I take a look at my watch for ever give minutes wondering when the bloody time will move fast. My hands are swirling the pen in nervousness and I sweat like Iam in a steam room. The symptoms I get when I can sense that Ken's eyes see me once in a while.

" I want everyone to submit it by tomorrow " instructs Mr. Mark as he hears the bell rings. He wants us to complete the bloody assignment that he gave two weeks ago, which iam not planning to submit.

As soon as the class started to disperse I grab all my books as fast as I can and walk towards the door.

" Stacy Collin?" I hear Ken asking me as he rushes towards me to the door.
I smack my lips and scold myself that I can't be fast enough and turn around with a slight smile.

" Yes "

" Was it you today morning with Henry ?"

Shit ! He saw me. Part of me knows that Henry won't spill the beans to Ken but part of me knows Henry is a perfect dick.

" Ah yes " I reply in a hesitation.

" What was that all about ?" He asks straight. No circling around and beating the bushes.

" Nothing , why dont you ask your friend ?" I ask. Why did I even say that ? God.

" I did. Is everything cool ? I mean he was upset the whole time after the science class " he says. Henry is upset ? Are you kidding me ? Such an Oscar owner.

" Well iam not. So may be he has a problem " I state the truth. Iam not upset but iam worried. Afterall he is Henry.

" Okay common stac ! I know you and Henry were friends " he says and that brings me chills over my body.

I know it is silly but the time we both spent together were always precious. Whatever it is we talk it out and share with each other. We can be ourselves when we were with each other.

" Yes. We were Ken. That doesn't mean I know everything about him now " I state with some kind of sadness and the incompleteness. The sadness that Henry made me say like this.

" Okay fine. Just talk it out " he says and turns his heel out the class.

I wear a blank expression over my face wondering why Henry is upset. I mean we fight every fucking day. Something is bothering him. I follow Ken till I reach my locker and stand over it for few seconds thinking whether I should go over and talk to him.

I place my books and I can see the papers laying on the locker. I grab one of the paper and it has ' Iam starving. Cafe after class ? ' written on it with the same curves that Henry used to write. These were the old notes and bits that we pass on to each other two years back during class hours. I gradually take another note and it has
' Fuck off ! Iam not talking to Terasa ' written on it.

This is the Henry I know. The Henry whom he was when with me. Gradually people wear off the colours on them.

May be he is doing this to make you jealous.

No way. He knows how much that irritates me. No one in the school beleived that Henry and me were just friends. Even we didn't. We always had something unspoken inside us that we both didn't say out. We both had a fear that it will spoil our friendship and it did.